4. Four

Four

Graydon

Harlow had downplayed Kira’s state. She was much worse off than he’d led Graydon to believe. The cracks in her psyche from the soul bound’s missing link were already starting to show.

She was like an abused etair, a creature the Tuann had used for eons to race with. Her agitated energy filled the room. Aggressive and snappish as it hunted for an opponent. This version of Kira was the one from the end stages of the war. The Kira who had lost too many friends and was little more than a walking corpse.

She hadn’t quite reached that state, but Graydon sensed it wouldn’t take much to push her over the edge. Tuann who got to that point rarely came back from it.

Kira had. A minor miracle Graydon wasn’t sure they’d be lucky enough to repeat.

You could only get so close to the flame before it burned you beyond recovery. Kira had fractured before and put the pieces back together. Shattering a second time could make it so there was nothing to reassemble, the shards so small and numerous that it’d take an eternity to sort through.

He would have spared her this if he could. Even if her distress was what had summoned him back to himself. If not for their bond, he’d still be unconscious. Locked in his own body, aware of everything, yet unable to do anything.

Graydon’s heart squeezed as she whispered his name, her face crumpling.

It’d been so hard not seeing her. Devastating to know she was so close yet unable to touch her.

But he couldn’t. The emperor had threatened to put him under house arrest if he couldn’t prove he was fit for duty. Graydon refused to let that happen. No way was he allowing Kira to traverse the universe in her current state without him.

He’d known there would be no stopping her. Despite what the emperor might think.

It was why he’d given his full attention to passing the battery of tests the healers and the emperor had thrown his way since waking. The fall out of which meant that he hadn’t had the time to check in on Kira.

He regretted that oversight now.

"Coli, I sleep for a few days and you plot treason. Whatever am I to do with you?"

Tears welled in her eyes a second before Kira threw herself at him.

Graydon barely had time to open his arms before her body collided with his. The force knocked him back a step.

"I was so afraid you weren’t okay," she sobbed into his chest.

Graydon clutched her to him with relief as he reminded himself not to hold her too tight. He pressed his cheek to the top of her head, closing his eyes and absorbing the feel of her in his arms.

That piece of him that had been missing finally felt filled.

Graydon rocked Kira back and forth, crooning wordless sounds of comfort as her agony put a knot in his throat. Her pain felt like a white hot poker jammed between his ribs, digging deeper with every second.

"We’ll get them back," Graydon promised.

Kira pulled away, looking up at him with a tear stained face.

He brushed a thumb down her cheek. "I’ll do everything in my power to see Elena and Jin home."

Kira pushed herself fully out of his arms.

Graydon let her despite the ache her absence left.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"It would seem—helping you with a prison break."

Kira

"You can’t do that."

Graydon looked at her like he thought she was adorable. "And why is that?"

For a moment, Kira let herself be distracted by the brutal beauty of his features. The sharp angles that looked like they’d been chiseled from granite. The thin slash of lips that Kira knew from experience were as soft as silk. The way his dark hair fell over his forehead.

If Graydon ever settled in human territory, he’d be plagued by endless requests to star in the holo-vids humanity was so obsessed with.

It wasn’t just that he possessed an attractive face. His body was a work of art. With wide shoulders that tapered into a narrow waist and powerful biceps and thighs that showcased the sheer power contained in his form that even synth armor couldn’t hide.

His gaze caught Kira’s, making her forget what they were arguing about for a second. The color of his eyes reminded her of storm clouds. Heavy with rain. The kind you just knew would lash the world with a savage fury.

Like a storm, Graydon was a force of nature. The emperor’s youngest Face and one of the most talented warriors in their empire.

Which was why his statement was absolutely ridiculous.

"You’re the emperor’s Face. You can’t commit treason."

She wouldn’t let him.

It was one thing for Kira, someone who hadn’t grown up within Tuann society, to stage a prison break. She could be forgiven. Her actions brushed off as her not knowing better. If Graydon did the same, it would be considered an immense betrayal.

Forget exile. They’d execute him.

A teasing look warmed Graydon’s eyes. "I could always arrest you instead."

Raider’s harsh sound of objection reminded Kira of their audience.

The man standing beside Raider was the reason they’d taken this chance. A course that even she would concede was reckless.

Aeron was remarkably unassuming. He certainly didn’t look like a general, a class of Tsavitee known for their brutality. His skin wasn’t the color of the void of space and he had no horns. The red symbols that marked his other form were also missing. His hair flopped over his forehead, making him seem even younger.

The cautious expression on his face reminded her of a survivor. His gaze guarded as it met Kira’s.

"Are those my only options?" Kira asked Graydon.

He pretended to think over his answer. "I would say so."

Restless energy poured off Raider. "I’m not letting him arrest me."

Kira ignored that statement as she blew out an impatient breath. "I should have figured on your presence when I saw Amila."

That was an oversight on her part. Then again, not much would have changed even if she’d realized. She still would have jumped feet first into this situation.

"Yes, you really should have," Graydon agreed with a faint curve to his lips.

He waited for her to make her decision, his warm gaze locked on her as if the outcome was pre-determined.

"Fuck. Fine. Betray your emperor and be hunted for the rest of your life. See if I care."

"Think of it this way, coli. As long as the general remains in my custody, he won’t meet the definition of a fugitive, and I can’t be considered a traitor."

He was splitting hairs, but Kira was too tired to argue with him.

"Good. I’m glad that’s settled," Raider snapped. "How are we getting out of here?"

"Are the oshota outside yours?" Kira asked Graydon.

If they were, he could order them to look the other way no questions asked.

"I’m afraid not."

Raider cursed. "We’re fucked then. We can’t fight our way out because of the promise you made to Harlow. We also can’t blast our way out because we conveniently forgot to bring explosives. And, oh yeah, Jin’s spawn also aren’t an option anymore either."

"So little faith, my angry friend," Graydon drawled, his eyes twinkling. "Finn was right. You do share a resemblance to a tijit."

The first time Finn called Raider that Kira had looked it up. A tijit was common on Tuann planets. Ta Sa’Riel in particular. The size of her fist, it was known for its stubborn and blood thirsty nature. Its habit of savaging anyone it took a disliking to and its ability to attack foes much larger and deadlier than itself was startlingly similar to Raider’s.

"Cut the crap. How are you getting us out of here?" Raider demanded. "You knew we were coming. You must have some kind of plan."

"I do." Graydon moved to the center of the room and knelt.

"What is that?" Raider asked as ropes of ki emanated from the hand Graydon set down. They bit into the floor, burrowing into the stone as archaic runes appeared in a giant circle around him.

"Manifestation."

Something so rare Kira had only ever experienced it a handful of times. Usually, it happened when a large amount of soul’s breath was channeled.

Effort showed on Graydon’s face. The last symbol appeared. When he was done, there were two circles of the archaic Tuann runes that made up an ancient language whose source had been lost. The rings looked like something out of the occult rather than the advanced technology that it actually was.

The power radiating off it sent goosebumps running down Kira’s back. The level of strength and control it would take to create this, was unimaginable.

For a moment she stared, wondering if she’d ever get to the point where she could wield her ki so easily.

Graydon rose, holding his hand out to Kira. "Shall we?"

She slipped her fingers into his, letting him pull her forward.

Her first step sent a jolt of charged energy through her. Like the act of stepping into the circle had completed a circuit.

"I don’t remember agreeing to this rescue," Aeron said, making no move to follow.

It was clear he didn’t trust them. His suspicion tinging the air.

Raider shoved him forward. "Be glad we haven’t murdered you yet. Resist and we might rethink your usefulness."

The general gave Raider a furious look.

Raider shoved him again. "Don’t test me. I’m not in a good mood."

"No, you’re desperate." Aeron’s smile was nasty. "Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here."

Raider’s face went blank. His lack of expression putting Kira on edge.

"Don’t forget we need him," Kira cautioned.

Raider acted like he didn’t hear, staring the general down.

"Aeron, stop antagonizing him," Kira ordered when the general held his gaze in challenge.

If the general wanted to continue being stupid, she’d let Raider have his way. It’d be nice to have Aeron on board since he possessed essential intel on the world they’d be infiltrating, but it wasn’t a deal breaker. Raider’s mental wellbeing meant more to her.

"As entertaining as this is, my oshota can conceal our presence for only so long," Graydon interjected. "If we’re going, we need to do so now."

Raider’s fists loosened finally. His stance relaxed as he took Aeron’s arm to escort him forward. To Kira’s relief, Aeron went without a struggle.

"Blue, we’re taking an alternate route out of here. Meet us back at the ship," Kira instructed through the comms.

"Roger that."

Graydon raised their clasped hands between their bodies, pressing a kiss to the inside of her wrist. "You ready for this?"

Despite the dangerous situation, Kira’s pulse jumped as warmth flooded the place where Graydon’s lips had touched. "If I had an idea of what this was."

Graydon dropped her hand, his gaze playful. "Now where would be the fun in that?"

In the depths of his eyes, lightning flashed. It set off a chain. Dozens. No. Hundreds of bolts striking in the midst of the stormy gray.

Tingling started in her limbs. The fine hair on her arms stood upright.

"Teleportation, cheva nier," Graydon whispered at the question on her face. "I thought it’d be a fun couple’s experience."

The building pressure burst. Kira’s world went white.

They landed on the edge of House Roake’s space dock. Exactly where they needed to be.

Located in the shadow of Roake’s Fortress of the Vigilant, the space dock was tens of miles from the Inquisitors’ Hold which had been built well outside the capital city of Ta Sa’Riel in an area that was considered sacred.

Kira found that last part out by accident when she crashed her ship into their backyard.

With a sense of wonder, Kira held her hand out to catch the droplets of rain from the weakening storm. "Blue would have loved that."

It was too bad the human hadn’t been able to experience it for herself. She geeked out anytime she encountered unfamiliar technology. Once she fixated, she could be quite the handful. For something like that, something almost magical in nature, Blue would have lost her mind.

"I’m so over Tuann travel methods," Raider said with a groan, looking miserable as he straightened.

He took Aeron’s arm, marching him toward the silhouette of the Wanderer where it waited in the storm.

Designed by humans, Kira’s ship had been built for function rather than form. She stood out compared to the sleeker lines of the Tuann ships surrounding her. Almost ugly in comparison.

Despite that, she was a welcome sight as Kira and Graydon followed.

"He’s rather weak to relocation technology. I thought it was a side effect of his humanity but your other friend doesn’t have the same reaction," Graydon observed.

"That’s because Raider’s issue isn’t physical. He just hates technology. Unless he can shoot it or fly it, he’d prefer to pretend it didn’t exist."

Their unit, the Curs, had enjoyed ribbing him over that.

Raider had been brought up on a planet of religious zealots who rejected the modern world—including much of its technology. Never mind that the same technology was what enabled them to settle the planet in the first place.

"Strange that he and Jin get along so well," Graydon said.

"Don’t let them hear you say that. They’ll deny it."

As much as they argued though, they always had each other’s back in the end. They might pretend to dislike each other, but Kira knew the truth. There was a lot of respect between them.

The wind and rain had lightened considerably during their time in the Inquisitors’ Hold, making for the perfect launch conditions. Almost like fate was abetting their crimes.

Raider pushed Aeron. "Hurry up."

Aeron caught himself after a small stumble. "You don’t have to be so rough. I’m all for leaving a planet teeming with my enemies."

"Had a change of heart, have you? That was quick. It’s certainly not what you were saying earlier."

Aeron bared his teeth at him. "Watch it, meat."

"Keep talking. I’ll rip out your tongue."

"Damn it." Kira groaned as Aeron shoved Raider with the same amount of force the human had used on him. "I thought I was supposed to be the one with control issues."

She started jogging toward them.

"Don’t make threats you can’t follow through on," Aeron warned.

Kira was still too far away to prevent the coming violence. "Do not kill him."

That would be the cherry on top. Going to all that trouble and risk only to have it end in blood and death. Their potential source forever silenced. Unable to provide them with any of the information that might make this shit show worthwhile.

Barely an inch separated Raider and Aeron. The two looking like they were going to come to blows at any second.

"He’d better have what we want," Raider said as Kira reached them, allowing her to nudge him away from the general so she could step between them.

"Or what?" Aeron challenged.

Kira caught Raider as he moved to step forward. "That’s enough."

The shadows at the base of Kira’s ship stirred, an oshota making his presence known.

"Graydon, can you take Aeron?" Kira asked.

"It’d be my pleasure, cheva nier." Graydon gestured for Aeron to precede him. "This way, general."

Aeron’s unwillingness showed on his face.

Graydon’s smirk turned dangerous. "Do you need another reminder of how much I dislike having my time wasted?"

Aeron broke eye contact to glare at Graydon. "Be careful. A general’s memory is long. Especially when it comes to vengeance. You have the upper hand now, but one day that may change. Be sure you don’t regret your actions when that time comes."

"Is he threatening us?" Raider asked.

Kira caught Raider’s arm when he tried to shove past her. "Nope, we’re not doing this tonight."

Aeron sneered as he started toward the ship. "Just pointing out something you may have forgotten."

Kira waited until Raider was under control before letting go.

"Don’t forget your goal, Aeron," Kira called. "We’re not your real enemies. Try to remember that."

"Tell him that."

An explosive curse came from Raider as Aeron and Graydon disappeared into the ship. Raider whirled, giving Kira his back.

She waited, knowing he needed a moment as he put his hands on his hips and bent his head.

"Is this going to be a problem?" Kira asked. "Because if so—"

It wasn’t that she didn’t understand or sympathize with his anger. The Tsavitee had been their enemies for so long. The generals responsible for guiding the Tsavitee’s armies in particular. The war wouldn’t have been nearly as devastating without their influence.

They’d lost friends and colleagues because of them. That was a lot to overlook.

"He’s our only lead, Raider," Kira said.

Raider released a breath, tipping his head back to look up at the storm clouds overhead. "He isn’t. There’s Odin too. Elise told us to find the Sye, remember?"

Kira claimed the last piece of distance that would bring her shoulder to shoulder with him as she joined him in cloud gazing. "Odin and I have been searching for the Tsavitee home world for eight years. If it was that easy to find, we would have found it by now. We’re close, but we’re not there. Aeron has actually been where we need to go."

Not to mention reaching Odin would take them several days of travel. Then more time after that in space while they located the Tsavitee home world. That was if Odin had managed to find the coordinates.

Aeron’s information could shorten their journey considerably.

It was a long shot, but one Kira judged worthwhile.

"Every time I see his face, I’m overcome with rage. It’s my daughter who should be here. Not him."

Kira put her arm around his shoulder and leaned her head against him as they continued to watch the sky.

Something that sounded almost like a sob escaped him before he swallowed it down. "I know I need to be in control right now. I promise to do better."

She patted his back and straightened. That’s all she could ask for.

"What about you?"

Kira sent him a blank look of incomprehension.

"Come on, Nixxy. I heard about what happened in that meeting. I’m not like these others. I know the primus isn’t a card you’d ever willingly play. I’m not the only one with control issues, am I?"

Raider had always understood her in a way most hadn’t. He knew her secrets. Her deepest fears. He should, since he’d been the one to hold her hand in the aftermath of one of her primus’s rampages. He’d helped her through her guilt and grief.

Her gaze dropped as a self-deprecating laugh escaped. "I guess there’s no use lying."

"I’d say we’re past that. At least to each other."

"I’m scared, Raider. I feel lost. Like there’s a Jin shaped hole in my soul."

Kira could barely remember a time when he wasn’t there, crouched in his corner of her mind. Their connection a constant. The thing keeping her going when the rest had fallen.

Raider couldn’t quite hide his hint of worry. "He’s alive. You’d sense it if he was gone."

"My head knows that, but the rest of me—"

The rest of her wasn’t convinced. It felt the dead space where Jin should be and grieved.

"The primus is maintaining my mental state." At least it had been until Graydon’s arrival shredded the balance she’d established. The primus was still there. Just a little more distant than it had been. "Without it—"

"You’re afraid you’ll go into a fugue state again."

Kira’s nod was shaky.

"This isn’t the first time, is it?" he asked.

"No."

"Rothchild." There was a flicker of pain on his face as he looked away from her. "That’s why you were different. Why you were so cold despite—"

"Yes." Kira’s answer was little more than a whisper of sound.

Raider closed his eyes, grief stamped on his features. "Ah, Kira, I wish I’d known."

She shook her head. "You couldn’t have."

She hadn’t been in a sharing mood back then. It was all she could do to bury everything. She’d had to become a creature of vengeance to keep putting one foot in front of another. Her relationships with Raider and a few others were sacrificed in the process.

"What a broken pair we make," Raider said before giving her a serious look. "You watch my back; I watch yours? We keep the other from going too far."

Kira nodded, liking the sound of that. "Just like old times."

They shared a look, remembering those times. The battles they’d fought and won. The impossible odds they’d always managed to tilt in their favor.

Yes, old times in that they’d lay waste to anything that interfered with the pursuit of their mission.

A narrow, oblong shape arrowed across the sky from the direction of the Hold, interrupting the moment. It landed on the edge of the space port.

"Looks like Blue made it," Raider observed.

"We’ll get underway as soon as she’s on board."

"I’ll wait here for her." Raider glanced at the oshota waiting on the Wanderer’s landing ramp. "You should deal with the big guy. I’m betting he has a lot to say."

"I think you’re right about that," Kira said with resignation as she headed toward the ship.

There’d be no dodging this conversation. One she’d known would be waiting for her the moment she’d decided to leave her oshota behind.

In the last few months, Kira had become versed in Finn-speak. Right now, the inscrutable expression on his face proclaimed his extreme displeasure.

She’d had no idea a person could be so verbose without ever saying a single word.

"You couldn’t have come," Kira declared, immediately taking the offense.

"I’m a shield. A shield is useless if you leave it behind all the time," Finn said, falling into step beside her as she started up the ramp.

"We’ve been over this. I’m less interested in a shield than I am a partner."

Finn stopped her with a hand on her arm. "And as your partner, I dislike when you exclude me."

"This was to protect you. I draw the line at letting you commit treason with me."

"You allowed Raider and Blue to come."

"They’re human. Rash. Immature. As the Tuann would say. They can’t be expected to make reasonable judgment calls. The same grace wouldn’t have been extended to you."

"That would be more believable if the emperor’s youngest Face hadn’t accompanied you back."

Kira scowled, still sore that Graydon had won on that point. "I made that argument to him as well. He simply refused to listen."

If she could have talked sense into him, she would have.

"You realize passing the adva ka makes you subject to our laws. The consequences you’ll face for this will be the same as mine."

"The difference is I’ve never been afraid to throw myself into the metaphorical fire. I’m less inclined to allow others to do the same," Kira said with a shrug.

It made her a hypocrite, but that had never bothered her.

"I will not be left out next time," Finn informed her. "I’m with you to the end—whether you agree or not."

Kira’s eyes narrowed. "We’ll see."

"We will indeed," Finn agreed.

Their standoff lasted only until Finn handed her the object he’d been carrying. Jin’s original form. A J1N combat drone. Originally built with military use in mind for reconnaissance and tactical reinforcement on Consortium planets and outposts where bandits and pirates were a common problem.

Kira and Jin had re-purposed it to fit their needs, installing cameras so the J1N had a 360-degree view at all times. They’d added a lens to the front that looked like a large eye. An inside joke they’d taken from an old Earth show. They’d also retrofitted it with every weapon they could get their hands on, making it a true threat to their enemies.

The drone was a sphere about the size of Kira’s head, capable of compressing itself to something a little larger than a softball when needed. Right now, it was in its larger form, its weight heavier than it appeared.

Finn started up the ramp, drawing Kira’s attention to the man waiting a few steps outside her ship. It took a moment to recognize that surly expression.

Talon.

"What are you doing here? Don’t you have a bar to tend?" Kira asked.

For once his shaggy, unkempt hair had been tamed into submission and brushed back from the sharp planes of his face. There was a watchful look in his eyes, the light amber color hard to read as he flicked his gaze from Kira to Finn.

"While you were busy, I was procuring us allies," Finn informed her.

"I don’t remember agreeing to this," Kira called at his back as he strode into the belly of the ship.

"You weren’t around to consult."

He did not just say that.

Her disbelieving gaze went from the spot where Finn had disappeared to Talon, his uncomfortable expression providing her with no answers.

"How did you get conscripted into this?" she asked.

Talon lifted a negligent shoulder. "I owe him."

"Do you even know what we’re planning to do?"

"I don’t have to. He asked and I answered."

His explanation was simple. As if that was really all that had been necessary to convince him to come on this fool’s errand.

Kira dragged a hand over the back of her neck. "I’m sure you’re going to regret that before the end."

Talon leaned a shoulder against the frame of the ship. "I knew your father, girl. If you’re anything like him, I highly doubt that."

Kira went still. "I thought your acquaintance with Finn began when you two were Brianne’s oshota."

Brianne had been Finn’s sword before Kira. He’d served her for only a short time before realizing she wasn’t the person she’d portrayed herself as. Instead of possessing nobility and honor, she’d been spoiled and self-serving. The few times Finn had spoken of her, it had been with a dislike bordering on disdain.

Kira had just assumed his relationship with Talon originated in that period of time.

"No," Talon answered simply.

Kira tried not to show a reaction to that news. There was only one other person they would have both served. Her father. The former Overlord of House Roake. A man Finn and many others still grieved.

No wonder he’d come when Finn called.

"Wait." Kira frowned in realization. "He said allies."

As in plural.

Talon made room as Kira stalked the rest of the way up the ramp, already fearing what she’d find.

"Absolutely not," she declared, spotting the trio waiting for her in the cargo hold. "You’re not coming. Don’t even start."

Blue and Raider walked up the ramp behind Kira as she glared at the group.

The youngest would appear around seven or eight to a human. Her white blond hair, deep blue eyes, and delicate features making her seem doll-like.

Her brother, Joule, next to her looked a little older. Around fourteen or fifteen though he was likely somewhere in his fifth or sixth decade, given how slowly the Tuann aged. His face still contained the unfinished features of youth, but Kira could see hints of the handsome man he’d be later. There was a quiet maturity far beyond his years.

The last was the oldest looking of the bunch. Around twenty or thereabouts. As always, Kira felt a jolt of deja vu looking into Devon’s eyes. The golden shade she’d always associated with sun drenched daisies almost identical to his brother’s.

If Jin had been allowed to grow up, he would have looked very like this boy in front of her.

"But seon’yer, it’s Elena," Ziva protested.

Kira pinned her with a glare. "You’re too young."

The end. She wasn’t taking a bunch of kids into a situation where she wasn’t even willing to risk an oshota.

"I’ve been practicing the moves you showed me," Ziva argued. "I’m ready. Just put me in the back and I’ll hit them over the head while you distract them."

Kira could feel a headache taking up residence in her temples. Of course, Ziva wasn’t going to act according to reason.

Like drew like. Much as Kira hated to admitted it, the kid’s personality was as stubborn as her own. She was also a survivor. She’d gravitated to Kira’s side, drawn to her strength and grit and had made it her mission to bedevil Kira ever since.

Kira’s accusing stare landed on Joule. As Ziva’s brother, shouldn’t he be trying to talk her out of this madness?

He straightened, the resolve forming telling her she’d have to drag him off this ship herself if she wanted him to leave.

Not much of a challenge in reality. Even with the pointers Selene had given him regarding his shielding affinity.

However, the use of direct force was likely to ruin their friendship. A friendship, she realized to her chagrin, that she was beginning to cherish.

"My seon’yer has given permission for my presence," Devon said when Kira’s gaze drifted to him.

Of course, Graydon had. The man seemed determined to vex Kira.

"Besides, you have to take us with you or else we’ll tell everyone about the criminal you have on board," Devon finished.

Unbelievable.

"You’re threatening me?" Kira asked, raising her eyebrows at him in challenge.

"Bold move, kiddo," Blue said with a whistle.

Devon’s gaze shifted to her. "I’m older than you—by decades at least."

Blue’s smile was dangerous. "Time is meaningless if you don’t have the experience to back it up. Would you like a demonstration?"

"Okay, that’s enough out of you." Raider nudged Blue toward the corridor. "Go get us ready to take off."

Blue went without objection, heading for the bridge.

Raider tilted his head to the other side of the room. "Kira—side bar."

"In a moment."

"No, now."

Raider was already moving when Kira looked back at him. Talon watched the show from his place along the wall.

"Fine," Kira growled under her breath, stomping after him.

He didn’t wait for her to reach the other side of the room before rounding on her. "We should bring the kid."

Kira stopped and glared. "Are you kidding me?"

"You’ve seen what he can do. We could use him."

"He’s still a kid. They all are."

"He’s not much younger than you were when you started fighting the Tsavitee," Raider pointed out.

"That’s different."

"I don’t see how." Raider folded his arms over his chest, widening his stance as he squared up with her. "He’s faced several dangerous situations in the past few months and acquitted himself well each time. If I thought there was a chance, I’d recruit him for the Curs."

Raider remained calm as he offered several rebuttals. Entirely reasonable as he laid out his argument. One whose logic even someone as stubborn as Kira couldn’t fight against.

"Furthermore, he and Devon are no longer considered children by the Tuann," Raider added.

Kira started. "What does that mean?"

Last she’d heard, the others who’d attempted to take the adva ka with her had lost their chance when she had her confrontation with Elise over the fate of the lenacht, the Mea’Ave’s blessing that the Tsavitee had wanted to get their hands on.

"It reopened," Raider told her. "Devon and Joule are now both considered fully fledged adults."

"Son of a bitch," Kira whispered.

She was proud of her little friend. He’d done what he’d set out to do.

"And you?" Kira asked with a glance at him. "Did you complete it?"

The arrogant smile he offered her told her everything she needed to know. Of course, he’d finished it. This was Raider, after all. The only person perhaps more competitive than Jin.

"Congratulations," she offered with a sigh, realizing she’d lost this battle. Had lost the moment Finn allowed the trio onto her ship.

No wonder he’d been so quick to stalk away. Smart oshota that he was, he’d staged an early retreat so he wouldn’t have to listen to her complaints when she realized what he’d done.

"You know I really hate it when you become the more reasonable of the two of us," Kira told him.

Raider’s chuckle followed her as she strode over to Joule.

Kira regarded him carefully. "I thought you were on a mission. What happened to re-establishing your House?"

Most members of Joule’s House had perished in the attack that had broken its foundation and claimed the lives of its Overlord and many of its high ranking personnel. Joule, Ziva and a few others were all that remained.

As long as she’d known him, his sole goal was to resurrect his fallen House.

Now that he had passed his adva ka, he actually had a chance to do that. But not if he let himself get dragged into other people’s battles.

"The Tsavitee are a threat to us all," Joule said with a stubborn lift of his chin. "Dealing with them takes precedence." His manner eased as a cocky smile graced his face. "Besides, I need to gain a reputation if I want to rebuild. Fighting the hostile race that assisted in attacking the adva ka would buy me credibility that would otherwise take decades to accumulate."

"How long did it take you to come up with that excuse?" Kira asked.

"I had a lot of time to think while we were waiting to see if the Mea’Ave would reopen the adva ka or not," Joule returned.

Kira’s gaze shifted to Devon. "And you—you’re the only son your father has left. Are you really fine with possibly making him lose you too?"

Devon’s expression was harder to read than Joule’s, but Kira caught the glint of obstinance. "I won’t abandon my brother."

Well, fuck. How was she supposed to argue with that?

"Fine, you can come," Kira said, giving in against her better judgment.

"Yes." Joule pumped his fist as relief showed in Devon’s expression before he buried it.

Ziva broke toward the crew quarters. Kira caught her. "Whoa. Not you. You’re staying here."

Raider, seeing she had her hands full and not wanting to stick around for when things got emotional, sent her a nod. "I’ll leave you to take care of the rest."

"Coward," she called at his back as he disappeared into the corridor. "And you’d better not interrogate him until I’m present."

Aeron was her prisoner. She hadn’t broken him out of prison just for Raider to steal the best part.

Ziva threw Kira’s hand off her shoulder. "I can tell on you. Same as them."

Kira regarded her patiently. "No matter what threats you make, you’re not coming."

Ziva’s lip trembled. "She said we were sisters. Sisters don’t abandon each other."

"Truer words have never been spoken," Kira said, her voice softening.

She wasn’t so different from Ziva. While Kira would never have uttered such sappy words, she’d spent her life embodying the principle. Family didn’t abandon family. All of the risks she’d taken to find Elise proved that.

The difference was that Kira was an adult. Not a child with her whole life ahead of her.

Kira squatted in front of Ziva. "Listen to me this once."

The girl avoided Kira’s gaze. Stubborn to the very end.

Kira took her hand, waiting until Ziva looked at her. She supposed if she wanted the girl to listen, she’d have to offer up something of value. "If you stay, I promise to become your seon’yer in truth when I return."

Ziva’s tears evaporated. "Deal."

Kira blinked. "That was quick."

She’d expected an argument. Maybe even a tantrum.

Ziva’s grin was impish as she darted around Kira.

"I think she just took advantage of me," Kira said, watching the girl race down the ramp and out of her ship.

"I’d say so," Talon drawled.

Devon and Joule had departed at some point during her conversation with Ziva.

Kira looked up at the Tuann. "You sure you want to do this? You can still opt out."

Talon pushed off the bulk head. "I’ll take my chances."

"I hope you don’t regret this," Kira told his back as he sauntered deeper into the ship.

Alone, she stared at the view outside. It was strange. She’d been planning her departure from this planet almost from the moment she’d arrived. This was what she’d worked for. Her entire reason for undertaking the adva ka. To leave.

Now that the time was at hand, though, she was loath to part.

Kira took it all in. The way the night lay heavy and somber. The dim outline of Roake’s Fortress of the Vigilant. The sky as it spit the last sprinkles of rain.

Somewhere out there were the last remnants of her biological family. A family she would have once sworn she was better off without.

A figure with burgundy red hair standing on the space port directly opposite her ship caught Kira’s attention as she touched the button to raise the landing ramp. His amber eyes never left hers as the ramp slid up, the opening narrowing to a tiny slice until it finally closed.

"Goodbye," Kira whispered with a tiny catch in her throat.